Our Super Christmas tree

Christmas tree is always the most expected part of the whole Christmas. Of course our Christmas tree will not absence in this Christmas.
Today morning at 6 o’clock, Vini and I got up early and quickly had breakfast. After all, we took shovel and forks, and then push the wheelbarrow on our way. We were going to get our Christmas tree.
5 minutes later, we arrived the end of our home’s drive way. While Vini was pushing the wheelbarrow passing through the grass and rocks, I checked the little pine tree we chose last week. The tree looked very good for Christmas tree. We start our working. First of all, we used fork losing the soil around the tree. The soil was pretty soft because the ice in the soil melted by the sunshine. The second step was to cut the roots of the tree. We needed to make sure the tree still had enough roots to absorb nutrition and water. Actually, the roots were too hard to cut off so we used big scissor to cut them. After a while, the tree was isolated with the ground. Vini and I took pictures with the tree. The tree was a little bit taller than me. By the way, while we were taking pictures, the tree was actually not hold by us because it was too spiky to handle. We just laid the tree on the wheelbarrow and hold the back of the tree. I still looked very nice and handsome.
We moved the tree and planted the tree at the place outside of the dining room so we could see the tree while we were eating. Also, I tided the tree with ropes to make sure it would not be blown out by the wind.
After noon, Jackie, Vini and I started decorating our Christmas tree. Our Christmas tree was different than the normal one. It was the tree for wild life such as birds and deer so we decorated the tree by stringing cranberry, popcorn, golden raisins and current by several sawing string. And then we covered the pine corn we collected from the driveway by the peanut butter and bird food. After all, we hanged them on the tree and also put the lights and a big star on the tree. It looked beautiful and delicious.
Although we designed the tree for wild bird and deer, the first custom was our dogs: Joonburg and Red Potler. At first, we didn’t realize why Red stay under the tree, but after seeing a pine corn in his mouth, we knew this Christmas was also for our “wild life”－the dogs.
The night we usually spent couple hours with Jackie chatting and laughing. Following the melody of Jazz music from the radio station, we relaxed between the warm atmosphere and our brightly beautiful Christmas tree with wild life and our dummy dog.

History Trip to Monticello

This morning was not that cold. Ham, Joko, Vini and I took bus together to school. Today we had another field trip. We will go to Thomas Jefferson’s house－Monticello.
Going into the bus, Mr. Custis was counting students. He is the bus driver today.
Monticello is Thomas Jefferson’s (The 3rd president of the US) plantation for retirement. It is a two-floor building with great a farm, which provided Jefferson’s family daily veggies.
Arriving to the tourist’s center of Monticello, The view was full of fall maple leaves. The bus finally stopped at the tourist’s center. We took another shuttle bus to the top of the hill.
With us, there was an old man with nice suit talked about the history of Monticello. Thomas Jefferson designed this building with well natural lighting and well isolated. He used many glass windows to make the indoor space bright and comfy. Also, he had a great big book room with his bed. He had many scientific instruments around his room. Model of solar system seemed rotating regularly in these 200 years. Laying down the desk, there is a bookstand, which can carry five books in the same time. Behind the desk, there is a wall with three big pieces of glasses provide enough lighting for reading and working. Except president and other political career, Jefferson was also a scientist and inventor. He invented a little machine which can help him sealing the letter automatically. He is a smart guy.
Also, we saw the dining room. Jefferson was a vegetarian. His favorite food is pea. In his dining room, I saw many fancy silver wears and food of 18 century.
Outside of the Monticello, its garden is also very neat. On the hill, you can see the University of Virginia easily. Jefferson design this for watching his own university conveniently. The tour guide also bought us to his wareroom for wine and beer. We also visited Jefferson’s smoking house which let me feel scared. In Jefferson’s era, they cure the meat or used hickory wood and pine wood to smoke the meat for storing instead of refregirator.
After Jefferson’s house, we went to his plant farm and his graveyard. Many of us threw some penny or dime on his gravestone for showing our reguards. Thomas Jefferson is my favorite figure in American history. He is a little bit similar than I am. He pursued perfect in any field as I do. I think we will become good friends if he is still alive. Thomas Jefferson is an important person to the United states. He carried multi-duty on his shoulder when he was in the political seat. He was the Ambassador to French and on of member signed the Declaration of Independence. He was also Washinton’s secretary of state. In Chinese, we had a proverb called ‘’ The stronger man has heavier duty (能者多勞)’’. He is a good example. I should learn some spirit and attitude from him for being a man who has great deed.

Last Week pictures

History project
Christmas tree in Virginia Art museum
Me and Joko Kurachi
pencil sketch
the sun, the plum flower and our republic

The Final Art Paper

The Final Art Paper
Yen Hwa
The art works from beginner usually has no formal skill or official way to read but full of original creative ideas and new skills. I am not an art beginner actually but my last artwork before now is 3 years ago. This semester in Ms. Dodson’s art class, we learn how use official way to create art and analyze art but also preserve our own creation. I did around 40 artworks this semester. They are watercolor painting, Acrylic painting, pencil sketch and sculptures. The following their artworks present my skill and the opinion of art the most.

The sun, plum flower and our Republic of China (Taiwan)
Block Print, Oct 2007







This artwork was printed from a rubber board. I used curved and straight line to create the suns and the plum flower. The way I placed them was followed the alternating position to create the comfortable formal balance. Also I used blue and red to create strong complementary among suns, plum flowers and the white background. Also the geometric circle and square create the variety of space with the organic shape of the plum flower. The flowing rhythm, regular rhythm of suns makes it looked righteous. The flowing rhythm, random rhythm and the progressive rhythm of plum flowers make is looked fresh and beautiful. This picture has no especial emphasis. In other word, the whole picture is focal point because it is consisted by many alternating patterns.
In order to make my block print has two different colors, I applied a kind of skill. I did separate the whole printing process into two parts. First, I color blue (the darker color) on the center sun of my rubber printing board. After 20 minutes. I color red (the lighter color) on the background and print. This way is better than way of coloring all the board in the same time. You can get clearer and cleaner pictures.
The name of this artwork is “ The sun, plum flower and our Republic of China (Taiwan)”.
I did this because of the love and passion of my hometown, my country and the land nurtures me.
This kind of topic I called it the patriotic advertisement of 1950-1970 era of Taiwan. The plum flower is my national flower. Because the plum flower only blossoms in the extremely cold winter, it present my country will overcome every struggle and exist. The sun has twelve beams. It means our nation will exist eternally. The blue present our democracy and liberty.
Collect millions of books in one (my electronic dictionary)
Acrylic painting Nov. 2007













This is an acrylic painting. I used many book motifs to create a feeling of mass. Also, the position of the electronic dictionary shows it is the emphasis of whole the picture. This picture has informal balance. I used dark red, dark green and dark blue to compare with the color of the electronic dictionary for creating the formal balance based on color. The size of the books from big to small creates the progressing rhythm. The rhythm of the Chinese words is flowing rhythm. And on the left side of the painting is the Chinese stamp, which has Regular Square and organic lines. The color of painting is not many but also create the emphasis.
This is the artwork of Chinese Classic style but painting with western brush and acrylic color. I also used some black color to write some Chinese words. The whole meaning of the sentence is ‘’ Collect million of books in one (my electronic dictionary). There are my name and the dummy stamp on the right side corner. Chinese handwriting is an important part of Chinese traditional art. Our word is kind of visual word system, which is based on visual understanding. English words are formed by sound alphabet, which is meaningless. Additionally, I left much space for my Chinese words because our painting has strong informal balance between the words and the main object. This is a Chinese style painting.
I draw this painting for honoring my electronic dictionary, which accomplished with me during the whole progress of being an exchange student. Since I prepared for the test an interview of being an exchange student, this electronic dictionary helped me to read hundreds page of English articles. Also, when I have some problem of spelling word, it provides me a convenient way to get my answer.
I still remember the struggle of buying it. I studied hard, did many projects and worked for my dad in order to save money for it. It is my good friend.

The city, The Traffic Jam and The Tree
Pencil sketch Dec. 2007








This picture is a simple pencil sketch. I used organic and curve line to sketch the outline of the tree for creating the random rhythm. The car is outlined by geometric curves and construction. I used many straight parallels to create the regular rhythm on my cold and organized buildings and streets. The position of the tree shows the tree is the emphasis. The complex value and shape of the tree also make itself the focal point of the picture. The proportion of the cars shows the cars go further. It also creates some progressive rhythm. The position of the tree (left hand side) shows its informal balance.
Sometimes, Drawing is not only record something real but also present the abstract feeling. It can be an abstract painting or just combine many different objects. In this pencil sketch, I sketched whole the tree out side of the classroom especially in this cold winter. The cold temperature helped me to concentrate on sketching and realize how the trees stand in the cold winter. It is worthy to stand outside for sketching the tree. I am not good at drawing a tree because there are many leaves. This time I sketched the tree according to the skill of Thia’s pencil sketches of Illinois
I got a pretty good result.
The reason made I did this sketch is to show the conflict between economic development and our nature. When we build one house, we need to do some deforestation for building space and the material. Cutting a tree uses about 5 to 10 minutes but growing a tree uses about 10 to 20 years. Now, after you finish your reading of art paper, there is a soccer field big forest being destroyed. How can we stand and continue destroying our only world?
＜The end＞


After all, I need to show my best appreciation to my art teacher
Mrs. Whitaker Dodson. Thank her for lighting my passion of art. Thank her bring me fire and flame in these autumn and winter. －Hwa Yen Dec. 2007

The History Project

The History Project
This weekend was a busy weekend. We built our garden and went to the youth group church. The rest of the time, I used to do my history project. We needed to build a model which showed the whole view of one of the battle in the American civil war.
I chose the battle of Hampton Roads (also called the battle of ironclads). It was a naval battle occurred in Virginia. In the Union’s Anaconda plan to crush the rebel, the third goal was to blockade the south. The southern confederate states tried to break the blockade so they built an iron-plated ship the CSS Virginia to attack the Union’s frigates. The Union also built a little iron ship the USS Monitor against the south. The result of the battle was Union’s victory.
In order to build a model without wasting the resource, I used some Styrofoam and cardboards. I spent the whole afternoon to shape the ship and assemble together. After that, I put some bubble wrapper as the ocean and some tooth picks covered by tape as cannons. It looked pretty good and neat.
Also, we needed to make a presentation in front of everybody in English in the
history class. I was quiet nervous about that. I searched the internet for some information and printed them out.
At the start of my presentation, I was too nervous to read the paper bur I got better after that. This was a good experience.
After me is my Brazilian brother Vini. His project is the model of the battle of the new market. He made some paper solider and some cardboard valley. He had better English than I did so he talked a lot.
We both did a good job. We should have it in Taiwan.

The Art Field Trip to Virginia Museum of Final Art, Richmond

Today is a cold day. In the morning, I woke up and had breakfast as well and then I went outside for feeding dogs. Gosh! The temperature was about 25 Fahrenheit. It is 4 degree centigrade below zero. Today we might have snow.
When I arrived school, I went to my first period class. My math teacher came and asked us go outside of the house so we went outside and didn’t know why. Until there was a white point pas through my face, I realized that was snow. Snow, I looked forward. At start, there is not much snow fell. But after ten minutes, the snow came with strong wind and fell on everyone’s face. It was snowing, the real one. Our school bus left our school following snow.
That was one hour and half to Richmond. On the bus, I sat with my friends Charles and Blue. We talked many things about the cars and motor. Charles has a big red GMC truck. He drives to school by himself everyday. Also, I made many new friends. The bus ran on the super high way loudly. One hour and a quarter later, we arrived the Richmond. It was different than last week. Our bus came through the urban living block. The city has many old houses with different color. Except cars, Richmond is a beautiful city.
When we arrived the art museum, the snow stopped. The weather was still cold. Finally, we could enter the museum. I saw a giant elevator that the area was about 8 square meters.
This museum has many southern style artworks. The artwork impressed me the most was a hunter sculpture. I dislike hunting activity but this sculpture is really neat. It consisted by a hunter rides on horse with several hunting dogs. The sculpture is very lifelike and vivid.
The second thing I liked the most was an oil painting called’’ the alive creature and oysters”. It was just a realistic painting. Although the oysters and died pigeon was quite scary. I appreciated about the skill of drawing the real life. I hoped I could do that.
At the end of the museum trip, we went to a great dome to see some Rome art. I didn’t like it because there were all religious stuffs. I was confused about a woman statute, which held its own head in its bosom. I also saw a decorated Christmas in the center of the dome. That was a really big Christmas tree. I took a picture.
The art museum was good but I was hungry at the middle day. We went to a bakery for lunch. It was a bakery provided a good place for people having a lunch. My art teacher taught me to order a meal. I ordered a potato soup with bread bowl and a half sandwich. It cost me 7 dollars but the size was really big. I only had time to have my thick soup and an apple. That was really good meal. I packed the sandwich. After lunch, we took a school bus back to school. It was a really good experience to see the American museum and art works. I also saw the snow today. Today was a super lucky day.

The English Field Trip-Edgar Allen Poe Musum

Today was a special wonderful day. I had a field trip to Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Richmond in the whole school day.
This morning was very cold. The weather reporter of the local radio station said the temperature was around 30 F. It was especially cold for me who was wearing only Poe shirt with wool underwear and a coat outside for today’s trip. It was freezing.
On the way to Richmond, I sat next to John. We talked about the sport, I-pod, and the different life between US and Taiwan. I did as best as I could to keep the conversation going. I used the skill that Jackie and Vini taught me yesterday. Don’t ask a question whose answer is yes or no. Try to ask some questions with longer answer.
Reaching to the Poe museum, I saw the urban views of Richmond, the capital of Virginia. It was a great city with the urban side-sky scrapers, viaducts and many parking lots. Everything was fresh and exciting for me. Finally, we stopped in front of the Saint John’s church. We went into the church’s cemetery for finding Poe’s mother, Arnold’s gravestone. The foreign cemetery was not scary at all because of beautiful gardening and interesting gravestone design. Many people made their gravestone like a table or a bench. It is good that we could still benefit other people after passing away. People also can visit it without scariness and sadness. The only thing left is good memory and happiness with these died people.
We went to Poe’s museum as the main point of the trip. Poe’s museum was a place, which had a small but great and beautiful garden inside the several buildings of Poe’s historic relics. We looked-through the whole museum with our director whose name was Chris.
During the trip, I saw one big model, which resented the view of Richmond in Poe’s era. It sounded like somebody built it for about 100 years. The old Richmond had a city hall which was made by Thomas Jefferson was pretty impressed for me because of its Greek style. The model was pretty similar than the downtown Richmond now. City also preserved many old building but Poe’s house unfortunately.
I also saw Poe’s other 19th century furniture. Poe was not a tall man compared with people now but taller than the people in his era. He was about 5 feet tall. I am 6 feet tall. Poe’s death, which was a mystery, was also presented in the Poe museum clearly.
After visiting the Poe museum, we took a school bus to the grocery store Ukrup’s that was not just a normal grocery store. They served much hot food like pizza, sandwiches, fried chicken and other kinds of cuisines. I pent about 8.5 dollar for buying a big slice of Broccoli pizza and a box of veggie sandwich. Their pizza was really big and filled with broccoli, mushroom and cheese. It tasted better than pizza hut’s vegetarian pizza. The sandwiches was pretty expensive but worthy. Two big whole grain breads with tomato, mushroom, pepper, cheese, lettuce and other kinds of leafy vegetables was served with cured pickle. I had a really healthy menu for lunch and these were all vegetarian food.
Beside that, I tried not to sit with exchange students that I already met and tried to sit with American student. They were pretty friendly and generous to share their food with me in order to make me more realize about their food. A girl whose name is Nichole gave couple jelly worm. It looked like a crystal worm but tasted like soft candy. My good friend Blue share a roll bread with me to let me know what was the roll bread. Although I already knew it, I still appreciated about that.
On the way back to school, I sat with my friends and talked with them. They played some funny stuff and told some jokes. I tried to understand what they talked about and made some joke with myself. That was pretty funny.
In the evening, the sun is always the most beautiful in a day. The good memory with my friend in field trip will follow me until dream.

The International Educational week

As an exchange student, my job, mission and responsibility are not only learning the American culture but also presenting my own country and culture. From the daily life style, to the culture difference, I am impressed to the people around me. This weekend I hold one International Educational week for my American schoolmate. Let me tell you my little achievement.
The first thing of planning the presentation is to figure out whom you talked to.
According to the teacher in library, our school starts at 8:30 in the morning but most of students arrived at 8:15. Most of them use this free time (about 15-20miutes) for socializing or using the Internet in the school library. I used this period for my presentation.
I had started my presentation before I came here. 15 week ago, I used the free time of my summer vacation to search the Internet for some information about Taiwan in English (Ex: Wikipedia) and downloaded them. I found a paper model of the Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world. I also went to the administration office of my school for some video about my religion The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. My uncle in the US also collected some video, pamphlet and information about it. My mom also helped me to get some pamphlets about Taiwanese culture, history and geography etc from the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan. These are the things I brought from my country.
Before two weeks of the IEW, I started making poster, checking the video, building the model and made arrangements with school teachers (Library, administrator) for space of presentation and the ad in every day morning announcement. Totally. I spent only 15 hours to make these posters and models but the preparation I did is about 2 month. It was worth while I was seeing the joy on the faces of my audience
6. What information about your country did you share with your audience?
I planned many side to introduce my country. They were the history of Taiwan, the geography of Taiwan, the culture of Taiwan, the story of our national flag and my religion Tzu Chi foundation. To avoid “Boring Speech”, I made my speech with many real crafts ( spinning top, painting and the national flag) which I brought from Taiwan and the visual videos(Tzu Chi and Taiwan). I also put some interesting interludes like my little stories and some traditional jokes.
After my presentation, my American friends came and asked more questions about my life in Taiwan.
I thought they realized that who I am more. I also build more friendship between American students. Teachers admire my presentation and even asked their student come to my presentation.
I had very special audience. Because our school took 5 exchange students who came from People’s republic of China, Brazil, Thailand and Japan, they had extremely reactions about my presentation. For example, The students from People’s republic of china was very curious about my personal opinion of the issues of the independence of Taiwan. It was a hot potato to for me talked about the issue but I was glad that I explained my opinion calmly with political and objective words and they accepted my opinion and my passion of my country.
Thank god and the agency gave me this chance to gained more confidence of making a English speech, to make more friends, to build the other people’s respect of me, to learn how to use resources around me to make other people realize me and to learn how to coordinate with other helping peoples.
After the presentation, I also learn and knew more about myself and my country. I did remembered the first I talked about the Taipei 101 was the tallest building in the world but it isn’t anymore so my earnest math teacher searched the Internet and found out that the tallest building is still the Taipei 101. I felt cheerful when I heard this.

I felt a little pity that I couldn’t provide Taiwanese food to my American friends because I didn’t have the material. Taiwanese snack usually use some glutinous rice to make it tastier but I couldn’t find it even in Wal-mart and some international food store. Also, Taiwanese snacks are mostly fried so I couldn’t bring it to school because the fried food will become oily by staying for a long time. I am still finding the way to let my friends taste Taiwanese delicious snacks.
I also realized that the public announcement was a good tool better than the poster to advertise the program.

As an exchange student, my job, mission and responsibility are not only learning the American culture but also presenting my own country and culture. From the daily life style, to the culture difference, I am impressed to the people around me. I learned from experience and realized from dealing with people. The exchange student’s spirit is in my mind and on my way. I will do as best as I can, just like my pride country and people.

Haunted Village

Haunted Village
It was a fascinating experience that I didn’t have in Taiwan at all.
Yesterday, my teacher in English class mentioned that tonight our school would hold one ’’ Haunted Village’’. I assumed that was Hunting village because of sound. My classmate corrected me and told me if I bought one Edgar Allen Poe (An American writer who was famous by his scary fictions in 19th century) souvenir T-shirt, I could enter the village for free. To day, Ham and I went to Ms. Womack’s classroom for ordering one. That was a pretty nice shirt. I liked Poe’s moustache.

Tonight after dinner, Jackie took us to the school gym. There was a crowd of people lined up in front of the entrance. Ham, Vini and I joined the crowd. Finally, It was time for us. I had some assumption before I went into the village. I thought there was just something to scare little kids but I changed my mind today.
First stuff I saw was regular ghosts. I felt nothing and even played with them. While they wanted to scare me behind me, I said hello to them in Chinese. I seemed like something spoiled on their face. They will never know that I was a ghost from Taiwan.
In the middle of the village, I saw one normal woman in a room. While she showed me her faked Siamese twins, I almost screamed out. Hold on a second. I laughed loudly while there was a man with a big chain saw attempted to separate the twins. It should be scary, but his sound and act was so cute.
After that, I went to an emergency room. Seeing scattered human part and spoiled gore on the ground, an uncomfortable feeling welled upon my heart. A nurse with a big syringe attempted to infect the virus. A doctor with an unusual calm face took one scalpel toward me. I face her for a few second without saying any thing. Her face was still calm as a cucumber but I thought y face was pretty pale them.
The next stage was funny. My history teacher disguised as a bloody chief used his big kitchen chopping on a table. I almost laughed because the words from his southern mouth were cute. “Put your finger on the table.’’ He said. I responded, ”What can I have today?” He said “Would you like to try some fresh heart?’’ and showed me a plate of strawberry jelly. I said normally ” I would have some. How much is that?”
Actually, That was our daily dialogue.
The happy time always passed soon. I bought one hot chocolate from the snack section, sat with my friends and enjoyed the cream floating the chocolate. It was an unforgettable memory. Followed with the sweat vapor from the hot chocolate, this strange night was end.

Home coming Week

Home coming Week
This week was the craziest week in October. Home coming week!
Every school day, we needed to disguise ourselves as a cop, a robber. And even a deer. Each day, everyone wore as special as they could. I also prepared a deer hat. It looked funny.
In the end of the week, Friday, we had a school spirit parade. We, sophomores also had our parade truck. We decorated the truck as a game, which was played with a ball. I also made many friends during the work. Morgan, a genius in our school worked with me. We bowed many balloons and put them on the truck. We also drew many pictures. After that, another classmates asked me to draw many bubbles and patterns on the post. These two classmates are Abby and Aaron. They are pretty nice and friendly.
After work, we needed to stick the post onto the truck. We used tape but finally we used hammer and nails to fasten it. Aaron was very curious about the hammer so she took it and tried to use hammer. I couldn’t imagine that American girl was really strong. ‘’Bang Bang’’ she almost killed my thumbs. We laughed with each other a lot.
Finally we went to get on a school bus to for parade. The bus will take us to the downtown. We got off at the front of the Prince Edward courthouse and waited for parade coming. That time, I met a new friend; David who had wore a hearing aid. Soon. We became good friends with each other.
The parade was really cool. At the start, we had marching band and big jeeps. In the middle, there was sport teams show off. Finally, our truck came. The truck was really interesting. There was a student in a bathtub washing his body. Morgan was a person who controlled a basket to catch a mouse. The parade lasted for half of an hour. I had a good time.
On Saturday, Jackie gave us an art class. We learn how to use simple lined, strokes creating nature rhythm. Unlike art class in Taiwan, she encouraged me to free my strokes. An hour later, I finished two good post cards.
This Saturday was also my first swimming meeting. One o’clock afternoon, we went to the French pool. There were bunch of swimmer. Ms. Paw helped me to know which event I joined. I had 100 yards breaststroke and 50 yards free style. I knew that was just a practicing meeting. To turning, and me who couldn’t even diving I could only do as best as I could. In the event, although I was not the first prize, I didn’t fall behind others too much. It was a good grade to me.
After swimming, the most expected activity in this month was coming. Home coming dance! After dinner, I went to my room and took out the formal suit that my father brought for me in Taiwan. It is elegant gray. I put on my suit carefully and tided my tie. In front of the mirror, I told to myself ‘’ it is my first night, I will not miss it.’’ I was on the way to school.
Arrived school early, Vine and I tool a walk around the gym where was dance. We were both nervous about the dance. To him, party has another bad meaning in Brazil. To me, a hick from Taiwan, which is a conservative country, dance, was not my experience. I was in panic. I didn’t know how to dance and socialize.
Finally, the dance started. Every couple danced with each other closely. I just walked around and said Hello to my acquaintance. I didn’t know how to get rid of this kind of embarrassment.
I tried to find a person who didn’t have partner but I couldn’t find out. I met my friend Blue who had the partner. He asked me whether I had a partner or not. I said that I didn't have one. He said that was a shame. Her partner Aaron said that she would dance with me later. I was appreciated that I could have a dancing partner. During the waiting time, I talked to Morgan who didn’t want to have a partner. We talked many subjects and field. From American literature and American country song to the technology of hydrogen, we realized that we both like reading and thinking.
After talking, I went to the snack station for some snack. Suddenly, I saw that Aaron had no partner so I went to ask her for dance. I couldn’t believe that I had that such great confident to ask a girl for dance but I did. The first dance was just unbelievable. Actually I didn’t know how to dance so I just followed by my partner’s step. Soon, I removed my shyness and started talk with her. She is an Irish emigrant who moved to Virginia from Florida. I imitated other people’s style. I put pair of my hand around her waist. I had almost no experience to touch other people’s body, especially girl. It seemed like I place my hand around her waist. In fact, I maintained my hand in the air to keep from touching. Suddenly, She did one thing that I couldn’t forget. She put her hand on my hand and pressed my hand on her waist without any word. I looked at her and got a safe expression. I knew my face turning red but I was happy and safe. It was my first dance. I couldn’t hear the loud music but her pulsation. It was touching.
In the middle of night, Ham’s host parents picked me up. My brother and I were invited to their home this weekend. In Ham’s father’s car, there were 7 people filled of a 4-seats car. We were all happy and talked with each other.
On the bed, I couldn’t fell asleep. I was excited. I did one thing that I never did in Taiwan. It was just wonderful.

Home coming dance

Homecoming Dance

I had a homecoming dance last Saturday. It is my first dance party in my life. Here are pictures. I will post my article this weekend.

All exchange student in the dance

(holland China Thailand Brazil

Taiwan Japan)

Aaron, my classmate, I danced with her four times. She is my first girl dance with. Although I felt a little bit nervous, I still asked her for dance. she is warm-heartness. She often took care of me. Just like sister

Morgan is a hard-working student in my school.

I talked with her in many subjects.

New brother

3rd Sep. 2007

It was a very good day that I already met my brother Vini. We took him this morning at Lynchburg Regional airport. You know these days Jackie and I were very worried about Vini. I thought I could ease my mind now because Vini seen pretty fine and I thought that we would have very happy days in the future. By the way, I thought dealing with another countries exchange student was another challenge but very good chance. Maybe I can learn some Portuguese from him. It sounds very good. And personally, I thought he was pretty cute and very different from Taiwanese student. We are too old.

I knew when exchange student arrives their host family, they will be hungry and tired, So I prepared some Peanut butter toast, one can of Spirit soda and one banana. And I am glad that Vini like that. Be friendly to other people was way to win friendship and confidence. I thought I did it at the first moment.

After a long free high way, we finally get our warm home. I help Vini to set has luggage well and Jackie said the same thing to Vini. ‘’There was Antique everywhere, so put down your school bag.’’ I thought she cherish her Antique. Vini send me slippers and a key ring as gift. I give him my name card and a national flag badge as feedback. I love the Key ring he sent me because there was Brazil national flag on it and it shaped like Brazil.

After a short rest time, we went to community center to eat Potluck the big dinner. There are so many people there and they bring many dishes of delicious food. I remember that in Taiwan my grandmother will bring her dishes to the community party. Jackie took as to the Kroger supermarket and bought some good ice cream. I ate some carrot, ham, mashed potato, tomato slice and pasta. They are all very well. While we are having good meal, two women and one man talked to us. Jackie introduces us to them, and they are all very happy to meet us. I thought they are my friends now. I met Jackie’s neighbor who will pick up us while Jackie was not at home.
I thought it was important to meet her.

Then I took many kinds of desert. I took chocolate cake, Cream pie with Strawberry jelly, chips and some ice cream. They are delicious too. I love it.
This was my third meal in the US. I thought I would have more good meal in the future.
American food was so good, no wonder American are almost fat.

चोकोलतe चिप Cookies

這幾天我的轟媽感冒了，整天躺在床上病懨懨的，前天晚上看了醫生拿了吃了藥後，昨天晚上病情又惡化，除了沒辦法站立，還會嘔吐，當我和轟弟查看她的情形實在不太妙，當下我立刻撥了電話給隔壁鄰居Ms.Elfreda，因為她以前是當護士，當她看到我的轟媽時，我們叫了救護車，十分鐘之後，我們聽到了救護車的聲音，我突然想到，我們家是在路旁的小徑，也許救護車會錯過，於是我和轟弟便跑道路口招呼救護車，昨天晚上沒有星星和月亮，所以天色非常暗，我們幾乎看不到前面是什麼，但不知道是哪來的勇氣，我們還是跑到了路口，當我看到遠遠的救護車的車燈，我張開雙手用力的揮，終於救護車開到了我們家門口，
等到救護車上的護士把我的轟媽抬上救護車，我才放心。
昨天我在床上躺到凌晨一點鐘才入睡，今天早上當我看到我的轟媽躺在床上，用柔柔的聲音跟我說早安，雖然她仍是很虛弱，但至少好多了。
今天一整天，我都待在家裡，有很多問候的電話，轟媽的兒子還有鄰居都來看她，在她好起來之前，我只得做功課、畫圖、打掃家裡，我希望她趕快好起來，因為老人如果生病，拖了很長的時間，病會一直惡化，我想至幾天我應該主動和弟一起把整個家裡的家事扛起來。如果在台灣我的父母生病了，我也會這樣做， 何況是在美國。
三餐我們就隨便花生果醬三明治就著水果腹，昨天晚餐我蒸了稀飯，舀了
第一碗給我的轟媽吃，再把剩下的稀飯加了轟弟最愛的起司，然後招呼我的轟
弟吃飯，他快就把碗裡的稀飯吃得一乾二淨，我希望他會快樂一些，我們都很擔心轟媽。
今天晚上實在沒甚麼胃口，翻了翻廚房的櫥櫃，我發現了坐Chocolate chip cookies的巧克力粒，與事我和轟弟照著包裝上附的食譜，找齊了材料，坐起了餅乾。對我來說自己做菜其實很簡單，尤其是這種只要把全部材料混在一起的食譜，但是面對櫥櫃裡一排排的英文標示，我實在很擔心自己會把鹽當成麵粉，灑了壹大把。還好我的轟弟知道所有食譜上的材料，
但是我又遇到了另外一個問題，我的英文實在沒有好到可以溝通無阻，有的時候我們只能用body language溝通，經過一陣手忙腳亂之後，我們終於照這食譜上說的把餅乾送入預熱的烤箱， 但是過了五分鐘後，我聞到了我不想聞到的味道－燒焦味，原來我們的餅乾有一部分不是用烤盤裝，所以受熱不均勻，烤焦了。幸好只有三成的餅乾不是用烤盤裝的。
經過冷卻之後，剩下的餅乾看起來就像學校賣的一樣可口。收拾了剩下的用具，我和轟弟早早灌洗睡覺。
我想明天轟媽看到了一定很高興。

中秋晚宴

22 Sep. 2007
這幾天我沒有寫日記，因為我在我家舉辦了一場中秋晚宴，我希望在這場晚餐會可以將自己的文化帶給美國的朋友們，藉此促進彼此了解，
為了這場晚會我從四天起就開始準備，首先我先在網路上搜尋我的菜單和食譜，最後我決定了以下的菜色：水餃、糖醋排骨、梅粉拌青椒、涼拌小黃瓜、月餅和幸運餅、烏龍茶，這時我發現了一個很大問題，哪來的水餃皮?我的轟媽帶問了當地的金殿中國餐廳，我得到一個壞消息，這家餐廳的水餃皮時從大老遠的地方配送過來的，定時定量，不多不少，怒不外賣，雖然我找不到水餃皮，我們仍在餐廳享用了一頓美味的中國菜。
隔天找上美術課時，我請教了中國的交換學生鄭可欣，我想他比我早來三個禮拜，因該可以有些端倪，請教的結果好像一把大槌把我敲醒也敲死，原來這中國姑娘身懷十八般武藝，不僅自己擀水餃皮，連麵條、燒餅都自己來，說了一會兒我只能自個兒在角落懺悔，後悔自己虛度光陰，那該怎麼辦呢?請他幫我做嗎?當然不可以，自己的晚餐一切都得自己來，北方人不會擀餃皮太丟臉了，最後我決定男兒當自強，自己擀餃皮，
採購的那天下午，我在校門口翻著微積分課本，等著轟媽接我到超市買菜，不久之後，轟媽的白色休旅車出現在校門口，上了車之後，轟媽問我有沒有採購清單，我高興得把清單拿出來，沒想到轟媽看了看，滿臉疑惑的問我太白粉是什麼、香油又是什麼，我這才想起這裡是美國，除了日商龜甲萬醬油，可沒有日清太白粉和小磨香油，好吧！既然都已經在購物的車上了，我只好硬著頭皮自己找了！
結帳後，很幸運的，我買齊了清單上所有的食物，除了太白粉，我在國際食物區找到了香油，我想太白粉的作用應該跟麵粉類似，搓合著用應該沒有關係。
但是當我看到收據上的金額時，我就笑不出來了。五十二美元，是台灣的三倍，但是既然都已經計畫好了，只好不計一切代價的打好在美國的第一戰。
晚餐後，八點我拿出量杯、擀麵棒，準備跟這白白的美國麵粉大戰一場。根據食譜的比例，我混合了水跟麵粉，再使五爪四面八方揉捏麵粉，直到黏呼呼的麵糊變成結實的麵糰（其實是我已經對麵團沒轍了，它們的彈性太好了），再放入碗裡醒麵。等到我的麵糰從美人覺中醒過來後，我才能將它們擀成美美的水餃皮。
雖然我生平擀出的第一張水餃皮實在四不像，但起碼大小和質感跟台灣的水餃皮頗像，還帶了一股麵香味，陸陸續續的，我的水餃皮才慢慢成形。我忙到半夜十二點才結束了今夜與水餃的第一戰。
隔天早上用完早餐，我拿出餃子內餡的材料，用蔬果調理機將高麗菜、青蔥、大蒜打成碎末，混入絞肉、拌上醬油，再滴上幾滴香油，用手用力攪拌，一陣陣台灣的味道就這樣隨著半線的節奏，一陣陣傳出來。我想如果皮不怎麼樣，至少餡算是道地台灣味。接下來就是餃子最重要的一到手續－－包餃子，因為時間實在是太緊湊了。我只能自己快快的把餃子包完。希望下次可以教Jackie和Vini包餃子，那一定很有趣。
到了差不多傍晚的時候，我把冰箱裡的甜椒還有事先醃好的小黃瓜拿出來做沙拉。切成條狀的甜椒拌上台灣帶來的南投梅粉，酸酸甜甜的滋味媽媽教我的。
我又將切片的醃小黃瓜仔細的排在水藍色的玻璃盤上，在點綴上一搓胡蘿蔔絲，簡單的小黃瓜也可以很華麗。
在準備沙拉的同時，貼心的轟媽已經燒好了一大鍋沸水，我快速的將餃子一批批倒入，等它再次沸騰，在點水，點水三次之後，魚肚白的餃子個個浮在水上，雖然有一些餃子開口笑，但是對於第一次自己做餃皮的我來說，成績已經有八十幾分(一百顆大摡破了十五六顆) ，我拿起一個試吃，今天晚上的中秋晚宴應該很完美。
我又備了油鍋，炸了排骨，再跟胡蘿蔔、甜椒、鳳梨一起拌炒糖醋醬，起鍋前在灑上一把蔥花，倒入盤中，十足的色香味俱全。
晚上六點鐘，大家都到齊了，有轟媽的兒子、孫子、隔壁的鄰居Ms.Elfredy
還有在機場為我接機的Janet阿姨，總共九個人，大家為在餐廳的餐桌，轟媽很小心的把餐桌擺得很中國，我也把台灣的巨幅國旗懸掛在餐廳的牆上，站在自己的國旗面前，我告訴自己，今天晚上一定要好好的把中華文化介紹給大家。
雖然我準備了十五人份的水餃還有糖醋排骨，但是我的外國親戚朋友們真的很捧場，一下子盤中的食物已經被清得一乾二淨，Ms.Elfredy對我的小黃瓜讚不絕口，還說小黃瓜的排盤時在華麗的另她不忍摧毀。令我很訝異的，大家都對使用筷子很有天分，不一會兒的功夫，各個拿起筷子有模有樣的即起盤中的小蘿蔔粒。飯後，我端出了台灣的鳳梨酥、美國買的Fortune Cookie，泡了一壺烏龍茶，精緻的擺在小盤上，大家都對台灣的精緻文化感到好奇，隨後我講了許多中秋節的故事，雖然我的英文實在很破，還得帶著電子辭典當小抄，但是看到大家都對故事裡嫦娥、玉兔、還有吳剛著迷，我的巴西轟弟還很熱情的說當月圓的時候，它他一定要好好的看看嫦娥的美貌。
送走了最後一位客人，看著桌上乾淨的碗盤，這一切就像奇蹟一般，我居然可以成功的自己做出水餃皮，還可用英文講出中國的故事，娛樂了這麼一票的外國人，實在是太不可思議了。但是，就像我的轟媽常常說的，每個交換學生都會碰到許多的挑戰，只要心中充滿正向的力量，就可以很快的適應環境，我很感謝我的轟媽還有轟弟一直陪伴著我，和我講英文，還有台灣的家人、父母，因為她們的幫忙，我才可以漂漂亮亮的打完這一仗。


25th Sep. 2007
今天放學後，我跟著交換學生鄭可馨一起到她們家，今天可是重要的一天，我們要一起準備中秋晚餐。
這是我第一次跟中國的學生一同烹飪，待會兒想必非常有趣。因為有了禮拜六的經驗，我想今天我應該不會幫倒忙，我還帶了香油和茶葉，希望可以做一些有用的支援。
到了她們家，稍做休息後，我開始幫忙切要拌沙拉的芹菜，如我所料，美國人的家裡沒有大菜刀，所以我只能慢慢的切，還好這裡芹菜不是很硬，所以還蠻好切的。切完了芹菜，接下來的小黃瓜、四季豆、番茄還有青蔥我都很輕易的過關。等到課後活動結束後來到的Vini、Ham還有另一位中國學生董筱也來幫忙。一夥五個人擠在廚房的桌邊，Sandy涼拌沙拉、來自泰國的Ham細心的剝著番茄皮、Kitty是主廚，一下煎蛋皮，一下拌醬料，我還是繼續切我的菜，時而打打蛋，時而幫主廚遞鹽，找醬油，而我那巴西佬轟哥Vini負責娛樂大眾，用巴西腔說著令人噴飯的中文，模仿Kitty指揮來指揮去。
經過了一番手忙腳亂，終於，大家聚集在一起，一邊包著餃子，一邊說著笑話，介紹自己國家的種種。大家分工合作的把麵糰切成擠子、擀成皮、包成一個個飽滿的餃子，餃子的形狀也很國際化，我的餃子就像爸爸堅持的，是用拇指壓出來的，Sandy的餃子則是用整齊的摺子封口的，而Ham的餃子則非常的光滑，幾乎找不到摺子。沒想到看是差事的包餃子，居然可以讓大家更了解彼此，凝聚大家的感情。
正當兩位姑娘跟外國的電爐搏命時，我則拿出從台灣帶來的茶壺和烏龍茶，泡起茶招待著客廳等待的客人，不知道是不是台灣的茶太香了，很快的我就倒完了第一壺茶，也跟很多人攀談了起來，有Kitty的轟爸 、爺爺，還有當地Longwood university的行政主任，大家都很喜歡中國的茶，我也介紹了許多台灣的文化，當我收拾茶具時，錢包裡也多了好幾張名片。
七點鐘，Kitty端出熱騰騰的水餃，我則招呼著大家開飯了，今天的菜色除了水餃之外，還有木須肉、煮花生、粉絲沙拉、西紅柿炒蛋、炒茄子，雖然是中國菜，我還真的沒有嘗過北京人做的京菜，對我而言這也是另為一種文化交流。
月光下，大家聚在陽台的餐桌上，享用美食，聊天講話，互相交流彼此，Kitty換上了一身中國旗袍，頗有東方美人的儀態。
晚餐以後大家聚在廚房Kitty拿出了中國寄來的月餅，我也把我僅有的五個鳳梨酥切成小塊讓大家share，就這樣，大家擠在小小的廚房，一起吃著小小的月餅，多麼完美的晚宴。
飯後我和Kitty一起談天，原來中國人不是每個人都很極端，它們也是ˋ想要和平的，只是一條黑水溝的隔閡，我們在彼此築成的政治壁壘裡胡思亂想。其實，瞭解也不是一件很難的事，統獨在學生之間並不純在，我們來自個別的地區，有著自己的口音、方言，甚至政治立場。
台北、北京，在香油打開的那一瞬間，其實大家的感動都是一樣的。

飛到維吉尼亞

2007年八月三十一日
等了一個多月，今天終於可以搭上飛機了，想起前天爸還開玩笑的說:「如果到美國還是找不到落腳的地方，那就得被遣送回台」我還煞有其事的擔心著，不過既然我已經坐在飛往美國的飛機上，那因該就暫時SAFE了吧
現在是台灣時間凌晨三點鐘，飛機剛飛過俄國的庫頁島領海，上一個時區的父母，在應該仍在家的木頭地板上睡得香甜，腳底下的白雲卻已經欣欣向榮的迎接著溫暖的陽光，現在的我最想念的，卻是自己家裡的通鋪，經濟艙壅擠的座位，讓我覺得身處沙丁魚罐頭，身體被擠壓的無法舒展，還要悶上十幾個小時，當下真的產生了躺在走道上好好睡一覺的衝動，還好我有在飛機上稍為散散步，要不然屁股一定長痔瘡
不知道為什麼，我失去了對飛機餐的期待，每每用餐時，只是草草的把所有食物吃完，味覺麻木，這次共吃了二餐，一次是宵夜，另一次是早餐，為一我覺得最期待的，就是水，最純粹的水
看著坐位銀幕上的跑馬燈，機外的溫度是零下四十五度，機艙內冰冷的夜晚，漸漸的我感覺到絲絲冷意，從大腿間擴散開來，直至脊椎，通達腦門，然後手上靜脈的血液好像結凍了，我是一個怕熱的人，但是現在卻渴望一絲熱源，哪怕只是一雙手，像是剛剛在機場跟我道別的那一雙，最後我實在受不了，套上了外套，而且從背包中拿出朋友寫給我的信，靠著微微的閱讀燈，字裡行間讓我感受的些些暖意，過了一會兒，體溫好像又上升回來了，心靈的寒冷筆生理的寒冷更加凜冽，心靈的溫暖卻比身體的溫暖更加幸福，從今天開始我將在異國的陽光下成長，更應打開自己的心胸，好好吸收
國小期待機上生活的心情，現在好像被睡眠的渴望取代了，飛機餐也不再是一種娛樂，或許飛機也只是人類運輸系統中普通的一環，今後，搭機的時數也不再是興奮的指數了，Air way is only a way. 但是我仍是想飛的，

飛到維吉尼亞

2007年八月三十一日
等了一個多月，今天終於可以搭上飛機了，想起前天爸還開玩笑的說:「如果到美國還是找不到落腳的地方，那就得被遣送回台」我還煞有其事的擔心著，不過既然我已經坐在飛往美國的飛機上，那因該就暫時SAFE了吧
現在是台灣時間凌晨三點鐘，飛機剛飛過俄國的庫頁島領海，上一個時區的父母，在應該仍在家的木頭地板上睡得香甜，腳底下的白雲卻已經欣欣向榮的迎接著溫暖的陽光，現在的我最想念的，卻是自己家裡的通鋪，經濟艙壅擠的座位，讓我覺得身處沙丁魚罐頭，身體被擠壓的無法舒展，還要悶上十幾個小時，當下真的產生了躺在走道上好好睡一覺的衝動，還好我有在飛機上稍為散散步，要不然屁股一定長痔瘡
不知道為什麼，我失去了對飛機餐的期待，每每用餐時，只是草草的把所有食物吃完，味覺麻木，這次共吃了二餐，一次是宵夜，另一次是早餐，為一我覺得最期待的，就是水，最純粹的水
看著坐位銀幕上的跑馬燈，機外的溫度是零下四十五度，機艙內冰冷的夜晚，漸漸的我感覺到絲絲冷意，從大腿間擴散開來，直至脊椎，通達腦門，然後手上靜脈的血液好像結凍了，我是一個怕熱的人，但是現在卻渴望一絲熱源，哪怕只是一雙手，像是剛剛在機場跟我道別的那一雙，最後我實在受不了，套上了外套，而且從背包中拿出朋友寫給我的信，靠著微微的閱讀燈，字裡行間讓我感受的些些暖意，過了一會兒，體溫好像又上升回來了，心靈的寒冷筆生理的寒冷更加凜冽，心靈的溫暖卻比身體的溫暖更加幸福，從今天開始我將在異國的陽光下成長，更應打開自己的心胸，好好吸收
國小期待機上生活的心情，現在好像被睡眠的渴望取代了，飛機餐也不再是一種娛樂，或許飛機也只是人類運輸系統中普通的一環，今後，搭機的時數也不再是興奮的指數了，Air way is only a way.
但是我仍是想飛的，

A letter from a waiting student in Taiwan

Dear AYUSA San Francisco Office and teachers：
Time passed fast. There is about two weeks after Jun. 28th the day I should leave. I know you the teachers are also very busy and hard working on the program. Thank you.
I still remember that my family from the oldest grandmother to the youngest baby was very expectant for my program three weeks ago. They also prepared many things for me warmly. My father brought me to the suit shop for making the formal suit. We tried many suiting materials and my father insisted to buy the good one, so he paid about 250 U.S.D for the suit. It is very expensive to me. I don’t know the suit can cost that much money. For my present to the host family and classmates in the states, my mother, even grandmother and I make 150 decorations hardly in a week. From string beads, waving and design the card and good words on it, we spent many time and paid efforts. In my luggage, you can find tea, moon cake, teapot, Chinese fan, Chinese writing brush and many kinds of Chinese gift. Mom also helped me to take some informational sheets about Taiwanese culture from Taiwan Tourism Bureau. I also take some introduction about my junior high school from my teacher. They are happy to provide it. I have two luggages. Totally, present occupies two third in one of my luggage.
Nowadays, when I am going to sleep, I hope that I can find I am in the plane to the states when I wake up. Nora the Taipei AYUSA teacher promised me that I can go there before Aug 31st. Every official letter from agency also showed that the program will never be canceled. I had missed the Pre-AYUSA. Don’t let me disappoint again.
I prayer our Bodhisattva that will help every thing goes well. As a little student, don’t have enough power and authority to do something, but I hope you can realize my feelings.
For you, two weeks is only enough for solving some cases. For me, two weeks is as long as two years.
After all, I am very appreciated you and your efforts anyway. Prayer

Sincere Yours

Yen Hwa
The07-08AYUSA exchange student(Taiwan)






敬愛的AYUSA舊金山總部的老師們：
時間過得很快，轉眼間離原本應出發的7月28日已經過了兩個多禮拜。我知道老師們也為學生們的交換機會努力奮鬥了很久，真是辛苦了。
還記得三個禮拜前，為了我的交換學生計畫，一家人老老小小都非常的期待，也熱心的為我準備東、準備西。父親為著我的正式西裝，帶著我跑了好幾趟台北市的西服店，先是套量，然後選料子，父親堅持要買比較好的毛料，付了天價般的8000元，我從來都不曉得做一套西裝要這麼多錢。又因為我的手長，前前後後又修改了好幾次。為了準備我的禮品，我、媽媽還有我的阿嬤努力了一個禮拜做了150個小吊飾，從串珠、編結，到後來設計吊飾上的卡片、要放的好話，都花費了我們許多心思。打開我的行李箱，裡面還準備了茶葉、月餅禮盒、茶壺、中國扇子、文房四寶、許多中式風格的小飾品、小卡片。媽媽還幫我從觀光局所取了許多介紹台灣文化的文宣品，還為我從靜思精舍要了許多介紹慈濟的光碟、手冊，我還跟我的國中拿了學校的簡介光碟。老師們都很熱心提供。總共我帶了一個大、一個中的行李箱，光是禮物和文宣品就佔了中行李箱的三分之二。
兩個禮拜後的現在，每天晚上睡覺前，我都會許願，希望明天我就可以在開往美國的飛機上醒來，哪該有多好。AYUSA台北辦事處的Nora老師承諾我8月31日前一定會成行，AYUSA發給我的所有信件裡也都強調交換學生的計畫不會有任何變數。我已經錯過了文化營，我不想再失望一次。
願菩薩保佑你們萬事順利。身為一個學生的我，實在沒有甚麼多少的力量或分量去處理這種事情，但我希望老師們能重視我們的感受。畢竟，兩個禮拜對你們而言或許只能處理一些個案，但是對我們而言卻度日如年。最後，不管結果如何，謝謝你們為我們學生所做得一切。願菩薩保佑你們。

07-08AYUSA交換學生
閻華 敬上

一滴一滴的淚兒是一滴一滴汗的濃縮

一滴一滴的淚兒是一滴一滴汗的濃縮
－－－榮獲得師公上人獎有感
畢業典禮中，鎂光燈的閃爍、樂隊的鼓聲、台下的掌聲充斥著整個會場。
緊張的空氣中，緩緩地，我從證嚴上人手中接下了錶框的獎狀和一袋獎品。在半公尺外，師公是那麼的真實；平時在電視上深邃的眼神，現在變得更深入心坎。
多少的歲月，是跟著這位崇高的理想家走來的；多少的感動，是隨著師公偉大的志業一步一腳印走過來的。我，一個微不足道的國中生，居然接受到這麼至高無上的榮耀，在哪個當下，眼前的淚兒也不再聽我使喚，一滴一滴沾濕了衣襟，顧不得台上台下成千上百的人。那一刻，好單純，不用再多慮了，三年來的努力，不用憑證了，這一滴一滴的淚兒是一滴一滴汗的濃縮，師公上人好像在告訴我:「辛苦了！」是啊!今天我可問心無愧!
走下台，拿著獎狀的那一手到現在還在顫抖著。一路上，慈誠懿德爸爸媽媽時而問候，時而稱讚，個個比出「讚!」的大拇指。回想在慈中的日子裡，雖然慈誠懿德爸爸媽媽們跟我們一個月只見一次面，但是卻讓我感染了不少慈濟人的身教及言教，也許這只是一些小禮物和小卡片，或只是一個下午的歡笑；我永遠記得每一位爸爸媽媽真誠的笑容，永遠慶幸自己在世界上還有第二個可以依賴的肩膀。
坐回位子，一同領獎的學姊貼心的遞來了一張面紙。對了!我還有一起成長、學習的同學們。他們在我成功的時候，陪我一起慶祝、歡樂，在我痛苦的時候；陪伴我度過難過。三年裡，因為你們，頭上才會因而腫了包，眼睛才會因而含著淚；但也因為你們，脾氣化為和氣，包容取代孤僻。也許往後的生涯中仍我人會在孤單中想起你們。
落幕了!我呆呆的思考了一會兒－其實這一切的一切，最應該感恩的是賜予我們生命的父母，還有授與我們慧命的師長們。因為父母的付出，我才有健康的身體還有健全的家庭。父母還給了我一個特別的禮物，這份禮物叫「獨立」。我想，就是因為自己可以很獨立且自動自發的去做每件事，而且擁有良好積極的態度，才會有今日的收穫以及未來的希望，這才是我得天獨厚的優點，
三年前，我是一個急躁的人，待人上不能有耐心的與人溝通，常常發脾氣
接物上，則常常粗心大意，沒有耐心。幸好在國中的學習中，我遇到了方美倫老師。她豐富的經驗、耐心的教育，往往讓我有反省內心的機會。老師還時常告訴我要善解別人的難處，包容所有的意見，還要知人善用，團隊合作。然後，還可保持一顆輕鬆年輕的赤子之心
最後，當然還要感謝自己－感謝自己的心肝脾肺腎盡責的運行；感謝全身肌肉筋骨撐下不斷的操練；還有鋼鐵的意志力；支持我度過每一個不可能。我是一艘在大海中航行的船，前一個波浪的衝擊，讓我有度過下一波浪的力量；浪越大，船的甲板就越堅實，才能面對下一段的旅程！
天下總有不散的宴席，一千多個日子就在今天畫下一個完美的句點。但是終點其實就是下一個起點的開始，只要我能珍惜生命的每一天，必能突破萬難，再創生命的高峰。